Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has inaugurated a nine-member Governing Board for the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

He tasked them with the critical responsibility of strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation amid the country’s current fiscal challenges.

The Board is chaired by George Ricketts Hagan, former Deputy Finance Minister and Member of Parliament for Cape Coast South.

The full list of members includes:
1. George Ricketts Hagan – Chairperson
2. Anthony Sarpong (GRA Commissioner) – Member
3. Patrick Nomo – Member
4. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare – Member
5. Dr Zakaria Mumuni – Member
6. Faustina Nelson – Member
7. George Ayiretey – Member
8. Laadi Ayamba – Member
9. Francis-Xavier Sosu – Member

A Defining Task Ahead

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Accra, Dr. Forson expressed his gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for appointing what he described as a “distinguished team of esteemed and accomplished individuals” to lead the Authority.

“This is a defining moment,” the Minister stated.

“You assume this mantle at a time when the government faces significant fiscal constraints, with tight financing conditions, limited access to the capital market following the debt restructuring programme, and dwindling grants from development partners.”

Dr. Forson emphasised that in the face of these fiscal pressures, the government’s number one priority for 2025 and the medium term is to optimise domestic revenue mobilisation.

He disclosed that government has programmed to increase revenue collection by at least 0.6 percentage points of GDP annually, targeting a primary fiscal surplus of 1.5% of GDP by 2025 and reducing the external debt service-to-revenue ratio from 28% in 2022 to 18% by 2028.

He cited the recent withdrawal of USAID funding — over US$78 million in health and US$156 million in economic growth and education programmes — as a stark reminder of the urgency to strengthen Ghana’s domestic revenue base.

Key Focus Areas

Dr. Forson outlined several strategic focus areas for the new Board and GRA management.

These include accelerating the modernisation of the Authority’s operations, building a culture of integrity, combating smuggling, reforming internal operations, and fostering closer collaboration with the Ministry of Finance’s Revenue Policy Division.

“The Ghanaian public must have unwavering confidence in GRA’s commitment to fairness and ethical conduct,” he stressed.

“Revenue lost through corruption translates to unbuilt schools, unpaved roads, and lives adversely affected by inadequate healthcare and poor sanitation.”

He also announced a policy to rotate GRA officers every two years to reduce the risk of collusion, broaden professional experience, and strengthen institutional performance.

Additionally, the Minister revealed plans to sign a performance bonus Memorandum of Understanding with the Commissioner-General, witnessed by the Commissioners for Domestic Tax and Customs, to enhance operational accountability.

Commitment to Deliver for Ghana

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Forson reaffirmed his Ministry’s commitment to supporting the new GRA Board and management to deliver on their mandate.

“Let us remember that every tax cedi collected—and every integrity-driven decision made—brings us closer to building the prosperous, inclusive, and self-reliant Ghana We All Want Together,” he said.

The Finance Minister then formally declared the Governing Board of the Ghana Revenue Authority inaugurated.